I'm so glad you're here! "The Art of Life" is where I share my journey as an artist & Momma.
It's a place where I hope to encourage other women that they are artists too. In this small little space I seek to share, document, and be reminded of God's wonderful grace, all around us.
....And I would be so happy to have you journey alongside me!
So grab a cup of coffee and linger for a while. I hope you leave feeling refreshed.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Upset!!

~~Well, today it happened. I ran into one of those perverted, messed-up people out there in cyber space. I have a few pictures of the girls on my Flickr page. I just recently put them up there to share with my husband's family. I hadn't marked them private because I didn't think I needed to. After all, they're just pictures of two sweet girls being themselves.~~This morning someone left a sick and disturbing comment on a photo of Sierra. I don't even want to repeat it but it made me so upset that my stomach was churning. I immediately deleted the comment and blocked the user. But then I decided that wasn't enough so I also marked all of the girl's pictures "Friends and Family only."~~What disturbs me is that this guy had the nerve to actually leave the comment. What about others like him who look but don't leave comments? And another thing; there is absolutely nothing provocative or alluring about those photos. If someone in some sick way can be turned on by a photo of a little girl, than how can I protect them anywhere?! How can I know that there's not some sick person out there watching when we're at the store, or the park, or anywhere public?~~I'm honestly just upset and rethinking a lot of things. I'm not even sure if I should post pictures of them on the blog anymore. Which makes me upset. I blog about my life as an Artist and Mom. Those 2 things are intertwined and part of me. I know that most artists choose to only blog about art related things, but I wanted my blog to also serve as an encouragement to other Artist Moms out there. I've searched and looked and there's not a lot out there for Artist Moms.~~I know that more and more Moms are choosing not to post photos of their children and it's completely understandable. But I enjoy reading other Mom's blogs and seeing photos of their kids. It gives you this sort of connective feeling of parenthood.~~I apologize right now if this is written in poor grammar or has misspelled words, but I'm just too upset to go back over it.~~I don't know what else to say, or do. I contacted Flickr about the user but I honestly don't expect them to do anything. I know that this sort of thing goes on way more than we know. I called Dustin at work and he was so upset that he wanted to track the guy down.~~What do we do? Does the bad guy win?I don't know.

8 comments:

misti
said...

Ugh, report the person to Flickr! I know it probably won't keep him off, but I would definitely do that!

I am selective on some things as well but luckily I don't post photos of kids very often. I would say you should make it friends and family only when you upload the kids. As for the blog, the girls are adorable, but if it stresses you out maybe you should limit them?

Oh...I'm so sorry! I love seeing your girls and hearing what goes on in their lives. I haven't posted pictures of my children because they are adopted. I want to post them so bad but scared they will be tracked down by their biological parents. I understand if you don't post the girls pics anymore. This is upsetting. Don't let the guy win.

Kasie, I am so sorry that you ran into someone like that. It's up to you on the pictures of the girls, but I think you can still blog about being an artist and mom. What you say about being a mom is important, even if you don't include photos. I have seen other moms only use initals or nicknames and just get creative with the camera - not including the child's face, or representing a child's presence in some other way.

Kasie, that is so awful. If you have any information on the person you can report him to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at the CyberTipline www.cybertipline.com or by calling 1-800-843-5678.

That is horrible. I've heard many stories of moms having this problem. Some have privatized the photos, some have put watermarks on them, and some have taken them all off. I'm not sure what helps the most. Whatever you choose, we'll all support you.

I agree with you, I want to protect my children as well, and you're right, I don't post hardly any photos of them because I am so very cautious. I'm sorry to read about what happened to you! Isn't it just like the enemy! Only you know what is best for your journey as an artist mom. I love to see your beautiful pictures of your girls and your family! It always warms my heart. I do also understand how precious they are to you and whatever you choose to do about posting I will still visit. You are an encouragement to me :)

Oh, I am so sorry!! It's too bad that people like that have to spoil it for the rest of us "sane" people!! I'm sorry for such a disturbing thing to have happened to you all. I am just thankful it was only online! At least this isn't some guy you see around! Your girls are so precious. My girls only know them through pictures, but feel like they are friends. May God grant you safety and wisdom in this. As ever ~Angela

Just stopped by to check in here and I am so sorry this has happened to you! I also worry about posting photos of my daughter which is why I rarely do. I agree with Rose though that you can still blog about being an artist and mom without showing photos of your kids. I would still find lots of value in what you write here. Take care.